Wits University Students Take to the Streets: Protest over University Fees Causes Traffic Disruptions

Students from Wits University in Johannesburg have launched a protest over fees, causing traffic disruptions on local roads.

The university is urging students and staff to avoid Empire Road, and to enter and exit campus via alternative routes instead.

Wits management is continuing to monitor the situation, with Campus Protection Services on the ground.

The students have voiced their demands, which include that all students owing R150 000 or less should be given permission to register, a waiver of the R10 000 upfront fee for WITS Residence, and a scrapping of the NSFAS R45 000 cap for residence.

Wits University’s Vice-Chancellor, Professor Adam Habib, has posted a statement urging parents, students and staff to avoid using Yale Road North (Empire Road) and to make use of alternative entrances while Campus Protection Services are on the ground managing the situation.

It is unclear how long the situation will continue, but motorist are warned and asked to take alternative routes while travelling around Johannesburg to avoid being caught up in the protests.

Credit: https://www.sabcnews.com/sabcnews/motorists-urged-to-avoid-avoid-empire-road-as-wits-university-students-protest/

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